Ken Latta, Blending Crisis Response Support with a Dash of Music

Kenneth Latta General Supply Officer, FAS Logistics Operations Center Arlington VA. The public service aspect of what we do is crucial. We make possible what the rest of government does.
  • - Ken Latta is one of GSA’s key contacts when the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) need assistance during natural disasters or national emergencies. He knows how to track supplies and equipment to ensure on-time and as-ordered delivery. 

  • - “Many GSA people are helping FEMA strengthen its disaster support.  I’m just one of many supporting FEMA and other disaster response agencies with supplies. This year we helped FEMA with the Midwest floods, California wildfires, and the September hurricanes in Louisiana and Texas. Our Regional GSA teams have always worked superbly with FEMA.  Since Katrina, there is a new and closer level of agency supply cooperation between GSA and federal agencies.  Our goal is to successfully meet the challenges of catastrophic disasters with timely and problem-free supply delivery. The work is fascinating. There are a lot of good people in GSA and FEMA working to achieve excellence in supply delivery.”

    Ken with the Aldersgate Boy Scout Troop 996 Band at a July 4th event.

    Ken with the Aldersgate Boy Scout Troop 996 Band
    at a July 4th event.
  • - Ken also works extensively with DoD and helped improve the delivery process of military shipments into Afghanistan.  His role also helped DoD understand the depth of support available within GSA. The military monitored surface shipments into Afghanistan and observed firsthand the value of pulling GSA into the supply chain planning process – needed supplies were delivered on time. 

  • - Away from work, Ken grabs his trumpet and hits the road.  From leading scout troops in music and scouting projects to playing for foreign diplomats, Ken jumps at any opportunity to perform, “I play in community and brass settings.  This is a fun outlet that makes me smile.”  His daughter plays French horn and they often perform together.  “We’ll link with an orchestra and play at an embassy downtown, such as the French Embassy, the Russian Embassy, and the Saudi Arabian Embassy too.”  He also plays with the Mount Vernon Community Band in concerts at retirement homes or in local parks.  He says his versatile fellow musicians can perform as a concert band, handle Dixieland, swing or German music, or back a choir.

    Do you know someone we should feature in Faces of GSA? If so, please submit a 200-word write-up on why the person is a good candidate. Include job description, successful projects, awards, and outside hobbies. Email it to steven.hoffman@gsa.gov.
Last Reviewed 12/11/2008